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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 27, 2020
MEDIA CONTACT: Tom Anderson, DNR, at tom.anderson@dnr.iowa.gov or 515-725-8323
DES MOINES — The DNR has awarded $204,034 to 35 recipients in Food Storage Capacity grants, which helps organizations expand storage and cold storage of donated food items for distribution to food insecure Iowans.
Funding allows for the purchase of Energy Star refrigerators, Energy Star freezers and shelving. These eligible items make it possible to accept additional food donations and to properly store additional perishable and non-perishable food items for longer periods.
“Through the DNR grant, we have almost tripled our cold food storage capacity. With the ability to store significantly more fruits, vegetables, dairy and meat, we are able to increase our offerings of healthy and nutritious food to those in need,” said Claudia Rivera, Director of La Luz Centro Cultural in Hampton. “This has also already led to expanded partnerships with companies who donate milk, eggs, pork, and more. Without the DNR grant and the additional cold storage units, these community connections would not be possible.”
The increase in food storage capacity allows for well-rounded, nutritious meals for a greater number of Iowans.
“Fresh food is abundant right now thanks to the generous farmers and gardeners in our community and COVID relief programs,” said John Boller, Executive Director of the Coralville Community Food Pantry. “We are so grateful for the DNR Food Storage grant, which will allow us to take on more of this high-quality food and share the wealth with families who are really struggling right now.”
In addition, expanding food storage capacity helps reduce the amount of food reaching Iowa’s landfills.
“Without these improvements, many food pantries may have had to limit the amount of food a family or an individual could receive,” said Tom Anderson, with the DNR’s Financial and Business Assistance program. “Expanding their capacity for food storage not only addresses these limitations, but also helps reduce the amount of edible food being landfilled by having a place to store food and extending food shelf life.”
A brief summary of each grant award is available at iowadnr.gov/faba.
Grant recipients, listed alphabetically by town, include:
Ames: Salvation Army of Ames and Story County
$5,192 for refrigerator and freezer
Bellevue Bread Basket
$1,100 for upright freezer
Carroll: New Opportunities Inc.
$7,756 for refrigerators and shelving
Casey: A-C Food Pantry
$6,000 for refrigerator, freezer and shelving
Cedar Rapids: Area Substance Abuse Council
$10,000 for refrigerators
Cedar Rapids: Catherine McAuley Center
$10,000 for refrigerator and freezer
Cedar Rapids: CRV Food Pantry
$1,330 for refrigerator
Cedar Rapids: Olivet Neighborhood Mission
$4,000 for freezer merchandiser
Cedar Rapids: St. Mark’s United Methodist
$4,408 for freezer
Coralville Community Food Pantry
$8,000 for freezer and refrigerator
Decorah Community Food Pantry
$8,300 for freezers
Decorah: Northeast Iowa Community Action Corp
$5,845 for refrigerator and shelving
Des Moines: Eat Greater Des Moines
$10,000 for freezers, refrigerators and shelving
Des Moines: Food Bank of Iowa
$10,000 for additional cold storage at school pantries
Dubuque: Faith Temple United Pentecostal Church
$8,471 for walk-in freezer
Dubuque Food Pantry
$10,000 for walk-in cooler
Dubuque: St. Vincent de Paul
$5,000 for refrigerator merchandisers
Epworth: St. Patrick Parish
$1,495.86 for refrigerator
Hampton: La Luz Hispana
$5,398.60 for freezer and refrigerator
Iowa City: IC Compassion
$7,360 for freezer and refrigerator merchandiser
Iowa City: Domestic Violence Intervention Program
$8,176.92 for refrigerator and freezer
Jefferson: Greene County Christian Action Resource Center
$3,500 for a commercial freezer
Keosauqua Community Food Bank
$7,000 for refrigerator, freezer, shelving
Lake City: Opportunity Living
$10,000 for walk-in cooler
Lisbon: Southeast Linn Community Center
$3,000 for commercial refrigerator
Marion: Church of God
$10,000 for refrigerators
Marion: Churches of Marion
$4,000 for refrigerators and freezer
Olin Food Pantry
$2,000 for refrigerator and freezer
Perry: Hunger Free Dallas County
$10,000 for freezers, refrigerators and shelving
Rockwell City: South Central Calhoun School District
$1,200 for chest freezer and refrigerator
Iowa Falls: The Ruth Project
$1,000 for freezer
Waterloo: Hawkeye Community College
$4,474.56 for freezer, refrigerator and shelving
Waterloo: Presbyterian Pantry at Westminster
$3,038 for shelving units, freezers and refrigerator
Webster City: All Cultures Equal
$1,763 for refrigerator/freezer
West Union: Open Hands Pantry, North Fayette Valley Ministers Association $5,326 for refrigerator and chest freezer
Questions regarding the Food Storage Capacity Grant offering should be directed to Tom Anderson at tom.anderson@dnr.iowa.gov.
MEDIA CONTACT: Christine Schwake, DNR, at 515-725-8399 or Christine.schwake@dnr.iowa.gov.
DES MOINES -- The DNR will take comments at a public hearing Sept. 8 on proposed changes to Chapter 61 of Iowa Code, which would streamline the process in which the DNR certifies some water quality certifications.
The Environmental Protection Commission proposes to amend Chapter 61, making changes to how the DNR issues Section 401 Water Quality Certification for federal permits and licenses. This includes reviewing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 permits to ensure they meet Iowa’s water quality standards. The Corps’ nationwide and regional Federal Water Pollution Control Act permits are part of Section 404 of the federal Clean Water Act, which regulates the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands.
A public hearing on the proposed changes to Chapter 61 will be held via conference call at 3 p.m. Sept. 8. Those who wish to attend the conference call should contact Roger Bruner prior to the hearing at roger.bruner@dnr.iowa.gov. A conference call number will be provided prior to the hearing.
To facilitate an orderly hearing, anyone wishing to make oral comments during the conference call must submit a request to Roger Bruner, at the above email address, stating they would like to provide oral comment and a conference call number will be provided prior to the hearing.
Written comments can be submitted until 4:30 p.m. on Sept.11. Please send written comments via email to Christine Schwake at Christine.schwake@dnr.iowa.gov or by mail to Christine Schwake, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Wallace State Office Building, 502 East 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319.
The proposed changes to Chapter 61 can be viewed at iowadnr.gov/Environmental-Protection/Water-Quality/Wetlands-Permitting.
Questions regarding the rule making can be directed to Christine Schwake at 515-725-8399 or Christine.schwake@dnr.iowa.gov.
MEDIA CONTACT: Kelli Book, DNR, at Kelli.Book@dnr.iowa.gov or 515-210-3408.
CLAYTON COUNTY -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will host a virtual public meeting on Aug. 31 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to gather public comment on the Supreme Beef, LLC Nutrient Management Plan (NMP).
The Supreme Beef, LLC facility will be located in Giard Township in Clayton County. To request an electronic copy of the NMP, contact Kelli.Book@dnr.iowa.gov.
Per the administrative rules, comments should be limited to the following topics:
1) that the NMP was submitted according to procedures required by the DNR and
2) that the NMP complies with the provisions of 567 Iowa Administrative Code chapter 65.
To register for the virtual meeting and obtain the virtual meeting instructions, please register online at https://forms.gle/mFaPUW2WrzBpxH2x5 or email or call Kelli Book at Kelli.Book@dnr.iowa.gov or 515-210-3408 with your name, email, and phone number by 12 p.m. on Aug. 31.
During the virtual meeting, a moderator will provide a tutorial of how to use the virtual meeting features and the DNR will provide an introduction to the process and the facility. Supreme Beef, LLC will be given the opportunity for a brief statement at the beginning of the meeting. Depending on the size of the group, attendees may be broken into smaller groups and assigned a DNR staff member to collect public comment. Comments will be limited to three to five minutes per person.
If you are unable to attend the virtual meeting or have items to submit such as photographs or presentations, you may submit the written comments and other documents to Kelli.Book@dnr.iowa.gov by 12 p.m. on Sept. 1.
 Iowa Outdoors magazine AND a t-shirt for just $20!
Since we won't see you at the Iowa State Fair this year, we're bringing the popular "state fair" magazine special to your door!
Subscribe to Iowa Outdoors magazine to get four big issues filled with beautiful photography, wildlife articles, outdoor destinations, and next year's calendar. You'll get the state fair t-shirt, in light-blue 100-percent preshrunk cotton, promoting the 100th anniversary of state parks.
To subscribe, visit the Iowa Outdoors magazine special page, or purchase through the DNR's online license site.
When subscribing, choose your t-shirt size (XXXL cost extra), and you can purchase an additional t-shirt when you order. T-shirts will be mailed by Sept. 30, 2020. The $20 price includes a one-year subscription, t-shirt and shipping costs.
Hurry! This offer is only available through August 31, 2020. We hope you enjoy Iowa Outdoors!
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is working with state and local officials to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and has transitioned employees to work remotely. DNR offices are closed to the public during this time and only available by appointment.
In another effort to further reduce the spread of COVID-19, the DNR is encouraging the use of the online services for submitting applications, payments and other daily tasks and interaction with DNR staff.
We thank you for your patience and flexibility during this time. If you need to contact DNR staff you can reach them by email or phone or by calling 515-725-8200.
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